FALLING FOR MY BOSS'S BROTHER

I entered the house, took my heels off at the door and walked into the house and fell on the couch with a sigh. I was fighting back tears and trying to be strong as I always have to as I only had myself to depend on. But I could hear the voice that constantly tormented me when I was a kid, if I were you, I wouldn’t set my goals too high. You’re an orphan whose almost eighteen, you can’t save the world and you most definitely won’t be achieving those standards you keep setting for yourself. “Stop it!” I heard Mateo snap at me. “Stop what? I’m literally just seated on the couch.” I responded with a shrug. “You and I have been friends for so long, you think I don’t recognize that face?” Mateo asked. I looked at him confused, “what face?” “The one you make when you keep recalling those mean words you were told at that orphanage.” He replied. I sighed, I covered my face with my hands, “what do you expect when I still can’t get a job?” Mateo joined me on the couch, he pulled me closer, “don’t worry about that, everything will work itself out eventually.” “You keep saying that but it’s not true. I mean I have been trying to find a job for over a year, I graduated top of my class, I didn’t have a life except for the library…” “Where we once met and became friends forever.” Mateo chimed in. I smiled, “…plus I have tons of student loan debt that I am yet to pay.” I sighed, “I would also like to move out so you don’t feel the need to sneak girls in and out the house as if you live with your parents.” Mateo’s face cringed, he sucked his teeth, “you hear that?” “Do you even have to ask?” I looked at him, “I would like to use my degree and probably not work at a coffee shop for the rest of my life.” Mateo stood up and offered me his hand, “let’s go out and get some ice cream or something. Then maybe later we could go back to the club and do some karaoke?” He offered. I looked at my watch, “no, don’t look at your watch.” Mateo said as he took off the watch from my hand, “we are going to have some fun together and who knows maybe we’ll get you laid or something. Have caught my boss checking you out, I think he likes you.” He winked at me. I looked at him then I chuckled, “maybe he looks at me because I’m pretty.” I said with a shrug. “Yeah, pretty attractive.” Mateo said as he smiled at me making me smile back. “Okay fine. But can I at least get a change of clothes?” I asked. “Yes you can but no phones just your wallet.” Mateo yelled as I went upstairs. I pouted, “no phones? How will I get your boss’s number?” I asked and he playfully hit me. Saying that meeting Mateo was the best thing to happen to me would be an understatement. I mean I wasn’t that nerdy though I did have reading glasses that I wore all the time and they were a part of me. Mateo said that the glasses hid my true beauty but I always had a book in hand hence I always had my glasses on. I wasn’t a virgin; I mean Mateo would drag me to a party once in a while back in college but it seems like bad luck followed me everywhere as I wasn’t lucky to find love either. I had big dreams and a mind that could think wonders that sometimes I thought that my intelligence was the problem. “Let’s go!” Mateo yelled as he banged on my door. I grabbed a pair of sweatpants, a tank top and a pair of sneakers, I walked out. “I’m here!” I answered as I went to the living room. Mateo pointed me, “as usual you don’t put much effort into how you look.” I chuckled, “right now I have enough stress trying to find a job maybe after I get a job I’ll worry about my look. Now let’s go.” I pointed to the door as I headed out there. Mateo and I were roommates, actually saying that would be an overstatement as he paid for almost everything but I would help get groceries and other things within the house. I made minimum wage and it was hard for me to survive on what I was making but Mateo said that I shouldn’t worry about it, I was practically family. He was the only son in a moderately well off family. His parents owned a small repair shop where Mateo picked up bit and pieces, he also got himself a motorcycle while we were in varsity as he thought it made him look cool. He taught me how to ride it which was kind of him, but when he offered me a motorcycle I couldn’t help but decline as I thought I took so much from him. “You know you are cramping my style.” Mateo commented as we entered the ice cream shop. “Because of how I dress?” I asked, “what a handsome guy like you don’t want to be seen with a raggedy girl like me?” I asked as I placed my hand on my chest, pouting. “First, you aren’t raggedy, you’re beautiful and secondly that’s the problem, you’re beautiful.” He commented, “even in varsity people thought we were dating. My friends would ask if I ‘tapped that’ and I couldn’t get any girlfriends as we were always hanging out together.” We placed our order, I liked chocolate and Mateo liked vanilla. “I guess you and I remember varsity differently.” “What is that supposed to mean?” Mateo asked. “I was always at the library and you always had a different girl every month. Now, how did I hinder you from getting a girlfriend?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. “Like I said, everyone thought we were a thing, hence why I couldn’t have a long lasting relationship.” He defended himself. I looked at him and chuckled, “I’ll let you have it. I’ll take the blame for you not having a girlfriend to make you feel better.” We were having our ice cream when my mood suddenly changed, “do you think I’ll ever find a job or I’ll be working at a coffee shop being hit on by hippies and homeless guys?” I asked. Mateo put his hand on mine, “you are the only one who doesn’t notice how much potential you have. You are destined for great things; you just have to believe in yourself a little bit more.” He assured me with a smile. I took a deep breath and let it out, “enough about me, what about you? You have never settled on what to do. I mean I had to push you to pick something in college or you would have still been in college.” “Your parents love you for that by the way.” Mateo said with a smile. I pretended to toss my hair back with a smile. “You never know when that IT degree might come in handy.” Mateo just smiled, “unlike you, no offense, I don’t want to work for someone. I want to be the person people work for. And I know that I won’t get that done working in a bar, but I’m still trying to get my bearings before I settle on something specific.” “You better get there quick you aren’t getting any younger.” I pointed out. We went back home, the ice cream was enough to cheer my mood up. Mateo was truly a good friend. We walked in and heard my phone ringing, I rushed to pick it up just in time before it went into voicemail, “hello.” “Am I speaking to Maeve Thompson?” The lady on the other end asked. “Yes you are.” I responded as I felt excited. “My name is Caroline from Gray Inc., I was wondering if you’ll be available on Monday to come for an interview?” Caroline asked. I had to hold back my urge to scream, “yes I will.” I responded as composed as I could. “Great. Your interview will be on Monday at nine, please be prompt as Mr. Gray doesn’t tolerate tardiness. Have a good day.” She hung up. I started to scream, “what’s the matter?” Mateo who was in the kitchen came to see what was going on. “I got an interview at Gray Inc. this is so great Mateo.” I said as I hugged him. “We should celebrate. You should come to the bar and I could get you some drinks.” Mateo winked at me. “It’s an interview. I don’t want to celebrate too early, I’m afraid I might jinx it.” I said, “let’s celebrate once it’s confirmed. I have to get ready for work.” I hummed cheerfully as I went to my room. I was excited about the interview the rest of the afternoon, I had the night shift at the coffee shop as one of my co-workers called in and said he couldn’t come. I was grateful when the clock struck ten, I couldn’t wait to go get some sleep when two gentlemen in suits walked in. It was odd as this isn’t the type of establishment they’d seem to visit. I sighed, sooner they left, the sooner I could leave. “…I was drowning. The stakeholders need fresh new perspectives and I don’t have any. But there is this girl who came for an interview who seemed to have what I’m looking for.” I overheard one of the men speak. “Excuse me, could I get you gentlemen anything?” I asked. “Two black coffees please.” The man said. I got them their coffee, they seemed to be talking about something important but all I wanted was for them to leave. After about an hour, they left and they left a good tip which was a bonus for me. I locked up the shop, I was on my way home when I got a call from Mateo, I picked up, “hey what’s up?” I asked. “I know you might think I’m a bad friend for doing this but I promise I’ll make it up to you if you do this for me.” Mateo pleaded. I sighed as I could hear the noise in his background, he was out partying or something, “what is it?” I asked. “I was wondering if you’d work my shift at the bar today. One of my co-worker’s called in sick and I was to take over but I’m pretty drunk and far to get there on time.” Mateo explained his situation. I didn’t really want to spend the next few hours in the company of drunken men and women but then again I didn’t want to say no and seem ungrateful. “Um… sure what time is your shift?” I asked and he shrieked. “It’s in about an hour, you will be able to get there right?” Mateo asked. “I will.” I replied. “I owe you big time for this. Also try and talk to those drunk people you’ll get more tips, Lord knows you need a wardrobe upgrade if you’re going to work at Gray Inc.” Mateo mentioned then he hung up. I felt kind of offended but he was telling the truth, I guess I could use the money. I went back home and got ready to go work at the club.